Matthew Boyd, the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, attempted to get a first-pitch fastball past St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Joshua Báez. The occasion was Báez’s major-league debut on Saturday at Wrigley Field. Báez, however, exceeded expectations by hitting a two-run home run that traveled 449 feet to center field, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Báez’s impressive performance continued in the fourth inning. Boyd, facing Báez again, used a full-count changeup. Báez responded with a 382-foot solo home run to left field.

It’s just unreal. For me to not only get a hit but hit three home runs is just crazy, Báez shared after the game.

During their third matchup, Boyd attempted a slider on the outer half of the zone, but Báez was again victorious. Báez hit another two-run home run, this time a 368-foot shot to right field. This achievement marked the first time in major-league history that a player hit three home runs in their debut, contributing to the Cardinals’ 8-4 victory over the Cubs.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged Báez’s incredible game, stating, He had a great game. He beat us for sure.

Called up from Triple-A Memphis, Báez had already impressed with 34 home runs and 90 RBIs in 103 games. His reputation preceded him, as the Cubs were aware of his capabilities.

The initial fastball Boyd pitched to Báez was clocked at 93.4 mph on the plate’s outer third. Báez responded with a 108.6 mph swing, becoming the first Cardinal to homer on the first pitch in his major-league at-bat since Adam Wainwright in 2006. He became the 11th Cardinal ever to homer in his first career at-bat and the first since Lane Thomas in 2019.

The Cubs managed to rally briefly when Michael Conforto hit a three-run home run in the second inning to tie the game. Boyd, however, chose not to pitch another fastball to Báez during their next encounters.

In the fourth inning, Báez worked the count full against Boyd. After fouling off a changeup and taking a ball, Báez connected on the sixth pitch, giving the Cardinals a 4-3 lead.

A mix of pitches persisted in Báez’s final at-bat. Boyd began with a 72-mph curveball and followed up with a backdoor slider. Báez capitalized, hitting his third home run of the game.

Boyd reflected on the matchup, admitting, You make some mistakes. The first home run was maybe a mistake, but he hit some good pitches. Sometimes that happens.

Prior to Báez’s first and third homers, Boyd faced challenges, such as JJ Wetherholt’s nine-pitch walk and hitting Iván Herrera. These situations set Báez up for success and compounded Boyd’s frustrations.

Counsell decided to keep Boyd on the mound during the sixth inning as the Cubs trailed by a run, emphasizing that Boyd’s performance hadn’t completely unraveled.